Ophiarachna incrassata

Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Ophiuroidea
Order: Ophiurida
Family: Ophiodermatidae
Genus: Ophiarachna
Species: O. incrassata

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-First classified by Lamarck in 1816


-Found in western Indian Ocean, particularly around Madagascar, Seychelles, and Tanzania


-Also known as green brittle stars due to their conspicuous green color


-Arms can grow up to 20 cm and live in depts. from 1 to 6 m

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- Grow and move quickly compared to other echinoderms

-Part of the exotic pet trade

-Crepuscular, nocturnal, and carnivorous

-Arch up in “sleeping caves” of fishes and drop down on their unsuspecting meals






-After entrapping them, they are digested head first as swallowed wholly

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[[image:http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_L3sNLmoKUl4/SRoGJBE8KpI/AAAAAAAABrU/Aqukyy8FmqM/s1600/ophiarachana-feeding.jpg%20width=%22782%22%20height=%22583%22%20align=%22center%22%20caption=%22[ophiarachana-feeding.jpg width="516" height="590" align="center"]]

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Sourceshttp://www.sealifebase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=49635
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/2429/product.web
http://www.aquariophilie62.fr/images/detritivores/Ophiarachna-incrassata.jpg
http://www.starfish.ch/Fotos/echinoderms-Stachelhauter/brittlestars-Schlangensterne/Ophiarachna-incrassata.jpg
http://image22.webshots.com/22/4/4/6/223740406grzTQE_fs.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/v/mj8ZYysrmxU